Presentation
A renowned figure in the northern Rhône, Christophe Pichon has earned a reputation for his dedication to terroir and detail. On the steep slopes of appellations like Condrieu, Côte-Rôtie, and Saint-Joseph, he cultivates Syrah and Viognier with passion and precision. The estate follows sustainable viticultural practices and hand-harvests its grapes to maintain optimal quality. In the cellar, vinification is exacting, with barrel aging that enhances the natural complexity of the wines. His Condrieu is rich and aromatic with a silky texture, while his reds combine power and finesse, revealing black fruit, violet, and spice. A reference in the Rhône Valley.
Location
Surface area: Approximately 1 hectare.
Terroir
Soil: 75% granite plateau, 25% lower hillside.
Yield: 40 hl/ha
In the vineyard
Vines are trained on wire trellises to improve aeration. Soil is worked by tractor for older vines and by horse for younger vines.
Harvest
Manual harvesting.
Winemaking
Whole-cluster pneumatic pressing. Cold settling. Fermentation in 3- to 4-year-old barrels without added yeast. Temperature control throughout. Natural start of malolactic fermentation. Natural tartaric stabilization through cold. Wine is unfined and filtered using tangential filtration.
Ageing
Aged for 11 months in 5-year-old barrels.
Varietal
Viognier : 100%
Specifications
Production volume : 5 200
Age of vines : 5 à 35 years old
Serving
Serving temperature: 13 to 15°C
Ageing potential
3 to 5 years
Tasting
This Viognier reveals a brilliant golden hue. The nose is charming and true to the varietal, with aromas of apricot, white peach, and acacia flowers, enriched by subtle pastry notes and a hint of candied fruit. On the palate, the wine is fresh, balanced, and indulgent, supported by a lovely roundness and a persistent finish. Partially aged in barrels and stainless steel tanks, it offers beautiful complexity while retaining a pleasant vibrancy. An ideal cuvée to discover Viognier in its most generous and approachable form.
Visual appearance
Brilliant golden reflections.
At nose
Apricot, white peach, acacia flowers, pastry notes, candied fruit.
On the palate
Fresh and balanced, round texture, persistent finish.
Food pairings
This Viognier pairs beautifully with light and aromatic cuisine. It’s an elegant choice for an aperitif, seafood, or herb-grilled fish. It also complements creamy poultry dishes, mild Asian cuisine such as Thai coconut curry, or cheese-filled ravioli. For cheese pairings, opt for aged hard cheeses like Beaufort or Comté, which echo the wine’s round texture and floral aromas.